Granted Patent B2

US 12,521,164 · App. 17/960,289 · Granted Jan 13, 2026

Inventors: Mark A. Davison (Maineville, OH); Craig T. Davis (Cincinnati, OH); Jeffrey W. Bullock (Cincinnati, OH); Mark E. Tebbe (Lebanon, OH); Shan Wan (Plymouth, MN); Jeffrey L Aldridge (Lebanon, OH); Ryan M. Asher (Cincinnati, OH); Kristen G. Denzinger (Cincinnati, OH); Monica L. Z. Rivard (Cincinnati, OH); Kevin A. Bash (Cincinnati, OH); Eric M. Roberson (Lebanon, OH)

Assignee: Cilag GmbH International

A61B18/14A61B18/12A61B18/148A61B2018/00011A61B2018/00017A61B2018/00029A61B2018/00035A61B2018/00595A61B2018/0063A61B2018/048A61B18/1206A61B2018/126A61B2018/1472A61B2218/002A61B2218/007

Abstract

Claims (29)

1 . A shaft assembly of an electrosurgical device, the shaft assembly comprising:

a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode comprises a first outer surface groove and the second electrode comprises a second outer surface groove;

a first fluid cannula having a first distal fluid source port and disposed proximate to an outer surface of the first electrode, wherein the first fluid cannula is disposed within the first outer surface groove;

a second fluid cannula having a second distal fluid source port and disposed proximate to an outer surface of the second electrode, wherein the second fluid cannula is disposed within the second outer surface groove;

a distal fluid evacuation port disposed at least in part between the first electrode and the second electrode; and

a shaft configured to enclose the first electrode, the second electrode, the first fluid cannula, and the second fluid cannula.

2 . The shaft assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a first insulating cover disposed around the first electrode and the first fluid cannula and a second insulating cover disposed around the second electrode and the second fluid cannula.

3 . The shaft assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a proximal fluid extraction assembly disposed around a proximal end of the shaft.

4 . The shaft assembly of claim 3 , wherein the proximal fluid extraction assembly comprises:

a proximal fluid extraction port fluidically coupled to the distal fluid evacuation port; and

a proximal electrode cap configured to receive a proximal portion of the first electrode, a proximal portion the first fluid cannula, a proximal portion the second electrode, and a proximal portion the second fluid cannula.

5 . The shaft assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a distal isolation ring disposed within an interior of the shaft at a distal end of the shaft and configured to receive a distal portion of the first electrode, a distal portion the first fluid cannula, a distal portion the second electrode, and a distal portion the second fluid cannula.

6 . The shaft assembly of claim 5 , wherein the distal fluid evacuation port comprises at least a portion of a surface of the distal isolation ring.

7 . An end effector of an electrosurgical device comprising:

a distal fluid discharge port in fluid communication with a first fluid path, wherein the distal fluid discharge port comprises a distal orifice;

a distal fluid aspiration port in fluid communication with a second fluid path;

a first electrode and a second electrode; and

a diverter in mechanical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode, and disposed therebetween,

wherein the diverter has a first surface comprising a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the distal fluid discharge port,

wherein a proximal edge of the diverter is adjacent to the distal orifice, and

wherein the diverter is configured to receive, on the first surface, at least a portion of a fluid emitted by the distal fluid discharge port, and to maintain a contact of the fluid thereon with a surface of the first electrode and a surface of the second electrode.

8 . The end effector of claim 7 , wherein the diverter comprises a plurality of features on the first surface.

9 . The end effector of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of features are configured to direct a flow of the fluid on the first surface of the diverter towards the first electrode or the second electrode.

10 . The end effector of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of features comprise a plurality of protrusions.

11 . The end effector of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of features comprise a plurality of recesses.

12 . The end effector of claim 7 , wherein the proximal edge of the diverter is disposed midway across the distal orifice.

13 . The end effector of claim 7 , wherein the distal orifice has an elliptical circumference.

14 . The end effector of claim 7 , wherein the distal orifice has a circular circumference.

15 . The end effector of claim 7 , wherein the diverter has a second surface, and the second surface comprises a second plurality of features configured to direct a flow of the fluid on the second surface of the diverter towards the first electrode or the second electrode.

Assignments (3)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (400)